3,700 bottles of top-end champagne stolen

Thieves have made off with 3,700 bottles of top-end Jaques Selosse champagne worth 300,000 euros ($382,000), France's Anselme Selosse winery said on Wednesday.

They also took away labels, Anselme Selosse said, voicing fear that the burglars' motive could also be to put cheap counterfeits on the market.

"This theft does not put our activity in danger in any way but we fear that it could spawn fakes," said a statement.

Jacques Selosse champagne was launched in 1949. The theft last week took place at night in the town of Avize near Reims, north-east of Paris. The thieves used dishwashing liquid and deodorants in an attempt to remove DNA traces.